Lexington KY vs New Rochelle NY — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Lexington, KY
Kentucky · Population: 321,122
- Median HH Income$67,631
- Median Home Price$332,727
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+47.3%
New Rochelle, NY
New York · Population: 48,198
- Median HH Income$48,535
- Median Home Price$920,484
- Unemployment9.7%
- Bachelor's+22.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
New Rochelle
48,198
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lexington
N/A
New Rochelle
N/A
Median Age
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
New Rochelle
40.7
Foreign Born
Lexington
11.0%
Lexington +
New Rochelle
4.6%
White
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
New Rochelle
66.1%
Black
Lexington
14.4%
New Rochelle
17.8%
New Rochelle +
Asian
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
New Rochelle
2.3%
Hispanic
Lexington
9.2%
Lexington +
New Rochelle
8.0%
Spanish at Home
Lexington
N/A
New Rochelle
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | New Rochelle, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 321,122 | 48,198 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 40.7 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 4.6% | Lexington + |
| White | 69.9% | 66.1% | Lexington + |
| Black | 14.4% | 17.8% | New Rochelle + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 2.3% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 9.2% | 8.0% | Lexington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
New Rochelle
$48,535
Per Capita Income
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
New Rochelle
$30,033
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lexington
$52,606
New Rochelle
$77,425
New Rochelle +
Unemployment Rate
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
New Rochelle
9.7%
Poverty Rate
Lexington
15.7%
Lexington +
New Rochelle
23.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
New Rochelle
22.8%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | New Rochelle, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,631 | $48,535 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,272 | $30,033 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $77,425 | New Rochelle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 9.7% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 23.7% | Lexington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.3% | 22.8% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lexington
$332,727
Lexington +
New Rochelle
$920,484
Homeownership Rate
Lexington
53.6%
New Rochelle
57.5%
New Rochelle +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | New Rochelle, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $332,727 | $920,484 | Lexington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 57.5% | New Rochelle + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
223
Lexington +
New Rochelle
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
New Rochelle
1736
| Metric | Lexington, KY | New Rochelle, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 434 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 1736 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
New Rochelle
26.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
New Rochelle
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lexington
N/A
New Rochelle
13.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
New Rochelle
9.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
New Rochelle
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
New Rochelle
9.3%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | New Rochelle, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 26.6% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 13.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.5% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.9% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
55.6°F
New Rochelle
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
45.2 in
New Rochelle
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | New Rochelle, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
New Rochelle
8.1 µg/m³
New Rochelle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lexington
75.0%
New Rochelle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lexington, KY | New Rochelle, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | New Rochelle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lexington
22.5 min
New Rochelle
20.0 min
New Rochelle +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | New Rochelle, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.5 min | 20.0 min | New Rochelle + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, while lexington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $332,727. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in New Rochelle. Lexington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and New Rochelle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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